Mustapha Ussif Denies Involvement in GH¢50 Million Ghost Names Scandal

Mustapha Ussif, former NSS Director and current MP, denies involvement in a GH¢50 million ghost names scandal implicating senior officials. He emphasizes his readiness for scrutiny and transparency, as the Attorney General investigates fraudulent payroll entries. The scandal has reignited calls for public sector reforms in Ghana.

Mustapha Ussif, who served as the Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and is currently a Member of Parliament for Yagaba-Kubori, has firmly denied any involvement in the recently exposed GH¢50 million ghost names scandal. The Attorney General has been investigating this situation, which has raised serious concerns regarding the state payroll system. Ussif maintained he is willing to answer for his actions and will defend himself in court if necessary.

From 2017 to 2021, Ussif led the NSS and insists he acted with integrity throughout his tenure. He stated, “I served diligently during my time at the NSS and have nothing to hide. I welcome any scrutiny of my work and am prepared to cooperate fully with investigations.” His willingness to cooperate may be significant as investigators delve deeper into the allegations.

The scandal, identified by Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine as a “nationwide criminal enterprise,” has been characterized by the inclusion of 81,885 ghost names on the NSS payroll. Allegations suggest that some senior officials, including district directors and payroll officers, engaged in fraudulent activities aiming to siphon funds meant for national service participants.

According to Ayine, this scheme could have cost the state more than GH¢50 million every month and appears to have become institutionalized within the NSS. The fraudulent entries were allegedly submitted ahead of each service year, enabling the diversion of public funds into private accounts. Furthermore, there are claims that some of these funds may have been used to bribe a sitting Member of Parliament in 2024 to suppress media coverage surrounding these illicit activities.

Ussif has called for calm during this ongoing investigation, reiterating his commitment to transparency. The scandal has sparked renewed discussions about the necessity for reforms in Ghana’s public payroll systems, aiming to prevent similar cases of fraud in the future.

The broad implications of this scandal could foster changes in how public funds are monitored and allocated moving forward. Ussif’s strong response and the serious nature of the allegations underline the gravity of this situation as the public awaits further developments.

In conclusion, Mustapha Ussif’s denial of involvement in the ghost names scandal has sparked much conversation about transparency and accountability in Ghana’s public services. The Attorney General’s investigation, revealing that over 81,000 fraudulent names had been registered, highlights significant vulnerabilities in the NSS payroll system. As this scandal unfolds, it raises urgent questions about future reforms to prevent taxpayer money from being misappropriated. Ussif’s stance on cooperating with authorities will likely play a crucial role in this ongoing affair.

Original Source: www.newsghana.com.gh